By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
November 15, 2011
“I love being exposed to different cultures,” says singer Dionne Warwick. “And traveling is a learning experience. It’s something we should all do more of. And as Americans we’re very fortunate because the entire world speaks English.” Warwick received her first Grammy in 1968 for “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” Her hit singles include “Walk on By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “Alfie.” For current tour dates, check out her website at http://www.dionnewarwick.info/.
Q. What have you learned from your travels?
A. Being exposed to different cultures has given me an incredible learning experience of how to interact with people, regardless of where they are from or where I happen to be.
Q. In which city do you have the most vocal fans?
A. I have been truly blessed to be able to say my audiences have been wonderful in all of the places worldwide. I’ve never been somewhere where I wasn’t recognized by at least some people. My fans are great and are very respectful. I’m not a rock star.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I have traveled to all the continents and I’ve been around the world at least four times. I don’t think there’s a place I haven’t been. But I can say that Brazil is a place that’s relaxing and where I can just kind of get rid of any stress. The food is incredible. It’s too good! I consider Brazil to be my second home — and I once did own a home there.
Q. If you were advising someone who has never traveled to Brazil before, what would you recommend that they see?
A. The first thing I would say would be a visit to see the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Then go see the Teatro Municipal Opera House. And if they have time, visit a samba school where the sounds of drums and other percussive instruments are masterfully used.
Q. Besides Brazil, what other parts of the world do you enjoy visiting?
A. I love Paris, France, which runs a close second to being a favorite of mine. London, Singapore and Malaysia also are wonderful.
Q. What are some of your favorite hotels and restaurants?
A. I’m a creature of habit so I usually stay in the same hotels each time because the staff knows me and my habits. That makes it really comfortable for me. Let’s see, what do I like? The Pestana Rio Atlantica in Rio de Janeiro. The Athenaeum in London. The Loews Regency in New York. The Plaza Athenee in Paris. These hotels have excellent restaurants. I don’t go out to eat that frequently so I tend to go to the restaurants at the hotels. To be honest, I’m not that adventurous. I don’t try a lot of new things and am a meat and potatoes gal. I tend to eat with my eyes. If it doesn’t look good, I won’t eat it.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. I bring a lot of shoes. I wouldn’t say I’m a light packer because I believe in bringing what I need. I’m an expert packer, though, and I intend on writing a book on packing because everybody always asks me how I get all that stuff into one bag and manage to never wear the same thing twice. There’s an art to packing that I’ve learned over the years of traveling and learning the tricks of the trade.
Q. Which are?
A. (Laughs.) You’ll have to wait for the book.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. I watch TV all night long. I love television. My favorites to watch are “Bones,” “NCIS” and “Law and Order.”
Q. Do you prefer to have a set itinerary or kind of roam around once you reach your destination?
A. I’m just not a wanderer. I’ve been fortunate to make friends in other countries, so I’m kind of well protected and taken care of.
Q. What is your best vacation memory?
A. My honeymoon in Acapulco.
© 2011 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
Dionne Warwick+Hal David+Burt Bacharach= !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The reunion of her and Bacharach some years ago at the Academy Awards show was so good to see.